Golf cart



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Filed Aug. 2l, 1964 C). W. DAWSON GOLF CART 4 Sheets-Sheet l JZ fr gv 5fff O 57 O f 4/ f/ @j INVENTOR. 0772@ )fx/,dza/.sarz

Aug. 16, 1966 o. w. DAWSON GOLF CART 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 21,1964 INVENTOR. 07/7@ M/,zwf

Aug. 16, 1966 o. w. DAWSON GOLF CART 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 21,1964 United States Patent O 3,266,814 GGLF CART Urlie W. Dawson, 260 E.Cambourne Ave., Ferndale 20, Mich. Filed Aug. 21, 1964, Ser. No. 391,13919 Claims. (Cl. 280-36) This invention relates to golf carts andparticularly to a seat-type of golf cart which is collapsible Iforstorage.

The golf cart of the present invention comprises a to-p element in theform of a seat and two supporting frames one of which is pivoted to movetoward the other to reduce the size fOr storage. The bottom portion ofthe frames slope upwardly with the forward portion supporting a pair ofwheels and the rear portion engageable with the ground. When the framesare spread apart at the bottom, the seat is in horizontal position, inunobstructed and at normal seat height so that the golfer mayimmediately sit thereon. A hand-le extends forwardly of the seat inseparable relation therewith or pivoted thereto yso as to swingdownwardly in compact relation with the folded frames to form a smallpackage when the cart is to be transported or stored. The handle isconstructed from a tube in U- Vform having a plate thereon containingball receiving apertures engageable by spring retaining lingers. Theplate has rubber lgrommets for receiving and supporting tees andspring-press finger-s for holding a score card and pencil. The clubs aresupported in two detachable holders having a series of apertures ofdifferent lengths therein for the reception of the shafts of the golfclu'bs. The heads of the clubs are disposed in vertical alignment but inrearward staggered relation so as to be out of contact with each otherat all times. rIihe two club holders are removable and secureable toeach other to form a unit holder. The holder is provided with straps sothat it can be carried in the hand or on the shoulder if the clubs areto be carried rather than transported on the cart. Provision is made onone of the holders for an umbrella and a socket is provided on the rearend of the seat for holding the umbrella thereover to protect theoccupant from the rain or the sun.

Accordingly, the mai-n objects of the invention are: to provide a cartwhich forms a sturdy seat and which folds into a small compact package;to provide a golf cart having a seat portion from which foldable framesextend for supporting a pair of wheels and detachable golf club holders;to provide a golf club holder made of two flat sections which aresecure-d together in unit relationship having straps by which it may becarried by hand or on the shoulder; to provide a golf cart with a seathaving folda-ble legs and removable or pivoted handle with removablegolf club holders on each side and carrying bags 4beneath and at the endof the seat, and in general, to provide a seat-type golf cart withcomplete accessories, one which is simple in construction, andeconomical of manufacture.

`Other objects and features of novelty of the invention will Ibespecically pointed out of will become apparent when referring, for abetter understanding, of the following invention, to the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIGURE l is a view in elevation of a Igolf cart embodying features ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the structure illustrated inFIG. 1, taken on the line 2--2 thereof;

FIG. 3 is a front View of the golf cart illustrated in FIG. 1, as viewedfrom point 3 thereof;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 2, takenon the l-ine 4-4 thereof;

IFIG. 5 is a sectional view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 1,taken on the line 5-5 thereof;

3,256,814 Patented August 16, 1966 ICC yFIG. 6 is a sectional view ofthe structure illustrated in FIG. 3, taken on the line 6 6 thereof;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged broken view of the structure illustrated in FIG.1, as viewed from point 7 thereof;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged broken sectional view of the structure illustratedin FIG. 5, taken on the line 8-8 thereof;

FIG. 9 is a rear view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 1 with a bagsupported at the rear end of the seat;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged broken sectional view of the structureillustrated in FIG. 3, taken on the line lll-10 thereof;

FIG. 11 is a sectional View of the structure illustrated in FIG. l0,taken on the line 11-.111 thereof;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged View of the structure illustrated in FIG. lshowing the cart in collapsed position;

FIG. 13 is a broken sectional view of structure illustrated in FIG. 5showing another form of support for the handle of the cart;

FIG. 14 is a view in elevation of a pair of the golf club -holders whensecured in unit relation to each other;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 14,taken on the line 15-11'5 thereof, and

FIG. 16 is a broken sectional View of the structure illustrated in F-IG.15, taken on the line 16-16 there-of.

The seat-type golf cart of the present invention embodies a seat 20having a pair of like U-shaped frames containing upright or leg portions22 and 23 joined by a sloping web section 24. Angle shaped brackets 25have one frame 22 welded thereto as illustrated in FIG. 8, the otherframe 21 being pivoted to the brackets 25 by pivots 26. Pivoted crosslinks- 27 retain the frames in predetermined distance apart, the ends ofthe links being pivoted to the leg portions 23 by lpivots 28. When thelinks are folded upwardly, the pivoted frame 21 can be folded overagainst the xed frame 22.

An axle 31 having a wheel 32 at each end is attached to the forwardportion of the web sections 24 of the frames. The axle extends beneaththe web sections 24 and, as illustrated more specifically in FIG. l0, issecured to one of the legs by a sleeve bracket 33 which permits thebracket and shaft to be revolved about the web sections 24. Asillustrated in FIG. 6, a similar sleeve bracket 34 is secured to theopposite web section 24 preferably by rivets 35 so las to be in fixedrelation thereto. The 4bracket has a notch 36 for receiving the axle 31where it is locked in position by a link 37 secured by a handle 38having a finger 39 engaging a pin 41 on the bracket. An adjusting screw42 on the link 37 produces tight engagement of the axle in the notch ofthe bracket. Between the frames the axle has a pan 43 disposed thereonbetween the web sections 24 which swings with the axle when released bythe finger 39 'from the one web section 24 about the other section 24270 to Vertical position between the frames, as illustrated in FIG. 12.

A handle 44 is formed of a length of tube into U-shape having anenlarged handle lportion 45. The free ends of the tube are spaced by aplate 46 to permit the ends to pass through a pair yof aperatures 47 inthe front bracket 2S. The tube ends extend over a pair of pins 48mounted on a plate 49 supported across the inner end portions of theforward bracket 25. A stud 51 extends from the bracket 25 at the frontof the cart and has a triangular plate 52 swingable thereon. A thumbscrew 53 on the stud clamps the plate 52 against the plate 46 whentightened to retain the handle in locked position. Upon releasing thethumb nut 53 and permitting the plate 52 to have its heavy end swingdownwardly, the plate 46 is released so that the handle can be withdrawnfrom the pins 48 and the bracket 25.

A bag 54 for the golfers sweaters, balls, tees and the like is suspendedon a rod 50 from the brackets 25 beneath the seat with a zipper 55 orother closing means at the forward end thereof. The handle 44 has aplate 56 secured thereto as by the rolled flanges 57. Spherically angedapertures receive golf balls 60 which are secured in position by springfingers 58 extending from a web portion which is attached to the plate56. Grommets 59 are secured in a row of apertures in the plate 56 forthe reception of tees 61. Spring fingers 62 at the upper edge of theplate 56 secure -a scoring card thereto, the fingers rhaving loops 63for supporting a pencil 64.

Golf club holders 65 are mounted on opposite sides of 4the frames 21 and22 having a row of tubular apertures 66 therein for receiving andsupporting the club shafts. While there are many ways of manufacturingthe holder the one herein illustrated embodies the use of a met-al plate67 having aligned fingers 68 at the top edge and an extending flange 69therebelow. One of the flanges is reversely bent to form a channel 70for receiving the flange of the other plate for locking the bottom endsof the two holders together to form a bag when the golf clubs are to becarried by a caddy rather than by the cart. The plates have extendingtongues 71 struck therefrom about which the plastic material of theholder is firmly secure. A pair of U-shaped clips 72 has the endsextending through apertures in the bracket and `in the upstanding legportion 23. The inner ends are shouldered to space the web portion andform a slot 73 for the reception of the fingers 68, as clearlyillustrated in FIG. 1 where each clip 72 is secured in position by a nut74. The club holders 65 are readily removable from the cart and can bestored with or separately from the holders which can be employedseparately or secured together and employed as a unit for carrying aportion or a full set of golf clubs. The unit holder is illustrated inFIGS. 14, 15 and 16 wherein each holder 65 is shown with the plates inabutted relation, with the bottom flange 69 disposed within the channel70. Rectangular sleeves 76 extend over the two pairs of 4adjacentfingers 68 to clamp the top edge of the holders together. Apertures 78extend through the sleeves 76 and the fingers 68 for the reception of ahook 79 having a locking spring finger 81 thereon. An eye 82 on the hook79 supports a handle 83 between the fingers 68 by snap hooks 84 at eachend of the handle. Similarly, a shoulder strap 85 has snap hook 86 onthe ends which may also be secured to the eyes 82. The left hand side ofthe holder illustrated in FIG. 15 has a cover for the heads of theextending clubs, secured on releasable clips 88 which permits the coverto be extended, as illustrated in dot and dash line in FIG. 1, over theheads of the clubs to keep them clean and protect them from rain. Spacedslings 89 are secured on the right hand holder 65, as illustrated inFIG. 14, for receiving an umbrella 91 which is carried thereby. Theslings have eyes 92 thereon to which a carrying bag 93 is removablysecured. The rear bracket 25 carries a tube 94 which may be closed atthe bottom by a pin screen or similar previous element, for supportingthe handle 95 of the umbrella 91 when the umbrella is raised over theseat to protect the occupant from rain or from the sun.

The two holders 65 make a very compact unit which is carried by thehandle 83 or the shoulder strap 85. The unit carries the umbrella, thecover for the heads of the clubs and the bag 93 for the golfingaccessories. It will be noted in FIG. 2l, that the club heads extendfrom the ends of the holders in longitudinal spaced relation to eachother so that they can swing without striking each other and each can beremoved when turned outwardly from the other aligned heads. It will benoted that the apertures 66 are foreshortened at the bottom, asillustrated in FIG. 1, by the stepped ends 96. The material at the endof the holders can be omitted by having the end terminate alfong the dotand dash line 97 to obtain the same stepped e ect.

In FIG. 13 a handle 98 is illustrated, which is similar to the handle 44hereinabove described, with the exception that tabs 99 have been struckfrom the front bracket 25 to which the ends of the handle are secured bya bolt 101 and thumb nut 102. Slots 103 are provided in the end of thehandle so that when moved upwardly into carrying position the handle maybe moved rearwardly into the aperture 104 remaining after the tabs 99were struck from the bracket to thereby firmly lock the handle to thebracket when the thumb nuts 102 are tightened.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, a carrying bag 105 has snap hooks 106 whichengage slots on rings 107 on the rear bracket 25 to each side of theumbrella handle supporting tube 94. The rear wall of the bag 105 has azipper 108 thereon so that the bag may be opened during the time theholders 65 are supported on the cart. The seat 20 may be made of wood ormetal, or may be upholstered with foam rubber or the like to provideresiliency thereto for -a deluxe type of cart.

As pointed out hereinabove, the cart is folded into a small package asillustrated in FIG. l2 with the holders 65 and handle 44 removedtherefrom or with the handle 98 folded downwardly against the front legportions of the cart supporting frames. The axle is illustrated as beingswung 270 to Ia vertical position along with the pan 43 between theframes, one of which has been moved toward the other to provide a verycompact package. The bag 54 is illustrated as having a zipper on therear edge in addition to a zipper along the front edge so that the bagmay be entered from either end. When the bag 105 is employed on thecart, then the bag 54 can only be entered from the frontend.

What is claimed is:

1. In a golf cart, a seat, a pair of frame members supporting said seat,one of said frame members being secured in fixed relation to said seat,the other being pivoted thereto for swinging movement towards said rstframe member, means on said frame means for supporting golf clubs, anaxle secured to the forward edge of said frame members having a pair ofwheels thereon, and means for releasing said axle means for permittingthe one frame member to move toward the other frame member.

2. In a golf cart, a seat, a pair of frame members supporting said seat,one of said frame members being secured in fixed relation to said seat,the other being pivoted thereto for swinging movement towards said firstframe member, means on said frame means for supporting golf clubs, anaxle secured to the forward edge of said frame members having a pair ofwheels thereon, means for releasing said axle means for permitting theone frame member to move toward the other frame member, and handle meanssecured to the forward end of the seat.

3. In a golf cart, a seat, a pair of frame members supporting said seat,one of said frame members being secured in fixed relation to said seat,the other being pivoted thereto for swinging movement towards said firstframe member, means on said frame means for supporting golf clubs, anaxle secured to the forward edge of said frame members having a pair ofwheels thereon, means for releasing said axle means for permitting theone frame member to move toward the other frame member, and handle meanssecured to the forward end of the seat, said handle means being movableinto nested relation with said frame members when the members aresecured together.

4. In a golf cart, a seat, a pair of frame members supporting said seat,Vone of said frame members being secured in fixed relation to said seat,the other being pivoted thereto for swinging movement towards said firstframe member, means on said frame means for supporting golf clubs, anaxle secured to the forward edge of said frame members having a pair ofwheels thereon, means for releasing said axle means for permitting theone frame member to move toward the other frame member, and handle meanssecured to the forward end of the seat, said handle means beingseparable from said seat.

5. In a golf cart, a seat, a pair of frame members supporting said seat,one -of said frame members being secured in fixed relation to said seat,the other being pivoted thereto for swinging movement towards said firstframe member, means on said frame means `for supporting golf clubs, anaxle secured to the forward edge of said frame members having a pair ofwheels thereon, means for releasing said axle means for permitting theone frame member to move toward the other frame member, and handle meanssecured to the forward end of the seat, said handle means being pivotedto said seat.

d. In a golf cart, a seat, a pair of frame members supporting said seat,one of said frame members being secured in fixed relation to said seat,the other being pivoted thereto for swinging movement towards said firstframe member, means on said frame means for supporting golf clubs, anaxle secured to the forward edge of said frame members having a pair ofwheels thereon, means for releasing said axle means for permitting theone frame member to move toward the other frame member, handle meanssecured to the forward end of the seat, said handle being of U-sha-pe,and a plate secured across said Ushape handle having means thereon forsupporting a score card.

7. In a golf cart, a seat, a pair of frame members supporting said seat,one of said frame members being secured in fixed relation to said seat,the other being pivoted thereto for swinging movement towards said firstframe member, means on said frame means for supporting golf clubs, anaxle secured to the forward edge of said frame members having a pair ofwheels thereon, means for releasing said axle means for permitting the`one frame member to move toward the `other frame member, hand-le meanssecured to the forward end of the seat, said handle being of Ushape, anda plate secured across said U-shape handle having means thereon forsupporting a score card, and a socket on the rear end of said seat forsupporting an umbrella.

3. In a golf cart, a seat, a pair of frame members supporting said seat,one of said frame members being secured in fixed relation to said seat,the other being pivoted thereto for swinging movement towards said firstframe member, and means on said frame members for supporting golf clubs,each said golf club supporting means on said frame members embodying aholder having a series of vertically aligned apertures therein ofdifferent lengths for receiving the shafts of the golf clubs in a mannerto maintain the club heads in spaced relation to each other.

9. In a golf cart, a seat, a pair of frame members supporting said seat,one of said frame members being secured in xed relation to said seat,the other being pivoted thereto for swinging movement towards said firstframe member, means on said frame members for supporting golf clubs,each said golf club supporting means on said frame members embodying aholder having a series of vertically aligned apertures therein ofdifferent lengths for receiving the shafts of the golf clubs in a mannerto maintain the club heads in spaced relation to each other, and a coveron said holders capable of being drawn over the club head.

It?. In a golf cart, a seat, a pair of frame members supporting saidseat, one of said frame members being secured in fixed relation to saidseat, the other being pivoted thereto for swinging movement towards saidfirst frame member, and means on said frame members for supporting golfclubs, each said golf club supporting means on said frame membersembodying a holder having a series of vertically aligned aperturestherein of different lengths for receiving the shafts of the golf clubsin a manner to maintain the club heads in spaced relation to each other,said seat and frame members having eyes therein, fingers on said holdersby which they are releasably supported on the cart.

11. In a golf cart, a seat, a pair of frame members supporting saidseat, one of said frame members being secured in fixed relation to saidseat, the other being pivoted thereto for swinging movement towards saidfirst frame member, and means on said frame members for supporting golfclubs, each said golf club supporting means on said frame membersembodying a holder having a series of vertically aligned aperturestherein of different lengths for receiving the shafts of the golf clubsin a manner to maintain the club heads in spaced relation to each other,said seat and frame members having eyes therein, and fingers on saidholders by which they are releasably supported on the cart, a handlehaving a socket at each end for receiving the lingers of one or bothholders when the clubs are to be carried thereby.

12. In a golf cart, a seat, a pair of frame members supporting saidseat, one of said frame members being secured in fixed relation to saidseat, the other being pivoted thereto for swinging movement towards saidfirst frame member, and means on said frame members for supporting golfclubs, each said golf club supporting means on said frame membersembodying a holder having a series of vertically aligned aperturestherein lof different lengths for receiving the shafts of the golf clubsin a manner to maintain the club heads in spaced relation to each other,said seat and frame members having eyes therein, and fingers on saidholders by which they are releasably supported on the cart, `and ahandle having a socket at each end for receiving the fingers of one orboth holders when the clubs are to be carried thereby, means for lockingthe opposite edges of the two holders together when both holders are-tfo be carried when in adjacent relationship.

13. In a golf cart, a seat, a pair of frame members supporting saidseat, one of said frame members being secured in fixed relation to saidseat, the other being pivoted thereto for swinging movement towards saidfirst frame member, and means on said frame members for supporting golfclubs, each said golf club supporting means on said frame membersembodying a holder having a series of vertically aligned aperturestherein of different lengths for receiving the shafts of the golf clubsin amanner to maintain the club heads in spaced relation to each other,said seat and frame members having eyes therein, and fingers on saidholders by which they are releasably supported on the cart, and a handlehaving a socket at each end for receiving the fingers of one or bothholders when the clubs yare to be carried thereby, `and means forlocking the opposite edges of the two holders together when both holdersare to be carried when in adjacent relationship, and a strap attachableto said sockets by which the holder may be carried on the shoulder.

14. In a golf cart, a seat, a frame at each side of the seat, one framebeing fixed to one edge of the seat, the other frame being pivoted tothe other edge thereof, the bottom portion of the frames slopingupwardly toward the front, wheels supported on the front bottom portionof the frames, a handle on the front portion of the seat.

15. In a golf cart, a seat, a frame at each side of the seat, one framebeing fixed to one edge of the seat, the other frame being pivoted tothe other edge thereof, the bottom portion of the frames slopingupwardly toward the front, wheels supported on the front bottom portionof the frames, and a handle on the front portion of the seat, means formounting said wheels on said frames in a manner to permit them to swingrelative thereto so that the one frame is free to move relative to theother frame.

I6. In a golf cart, a seat, a frame at each side of the seat, one framebeing fixed to one edge of the seat, the other frame being pivoted tothe other edge thereof, the bottom portion of the frames slopingupwardly toward the front, wheels supported on the front bottom portionof the frames, and a handle on the front portion of the seat, and meansfor mounting said wheels on said frames in a manner to permit them toswing relative thereto so that the one frame is free to move relative tothe other frame, eyes on said frame and seat at each side thereof,holder for clubs having lingers which are received by said eyes forreleasably retaining the holders on the frames.

17. In a golf cart, a seat, a frame at each side of the seat, one framebeing Xed to one edge of the seat, the other frame being pivoted to theother edge thereof, the bottom portion of the frames sloping upwardlytoward the front, wheels supported on the front bottom portion of theframes, and a handle on the front portion of the seat, and means formounting said wheels on said frames in a manner to permit them to swingrelative thereto so that the one frame is free to move relative to theother frame, eyes on said frame and seat at each side thereof, holderfor clubs having fingers which are received by said eyes for releasablyretaining the holders on the frames, and a bag for carrying accessoriessupported below the seat between the frames.

18. In a golf cart, a seat, a frame at each side of the seat, one framebeing fixed to one edge of the seat, the other frame being pivoted tothe other edge thereof, the bottom portion of the frames slopingupwardly toward the front, wheels supported on the front bottom portionof the frames, a handle on the front portion of the seat, and means formounting said wheels on said frames in a manner to permit them to swingrelative thereto so that the one frame is free to move relative to theother frame, eyes on s-aid frame and seat at each side thereof, andholder for clubs having fingers which are received by said eyes forreleasably retaining the holders on the frames, and a bag releasablysupported at the rear end of the frame between the holders.

19. In a golf Cart, a seat, a frame at each side of the seat, one framebeing fixed to one edge of the seat, the other frame being pivoted tothe other edge thereof, the bottom portion of the frames slopingupwardly toward the front, wheels supported on the front bottom portionof the frames, and a handle on the front portion of the seat, and a panof shallow depth supported between the frames on said wheel supportingmeans.

References Cited by the Examiner BENJAMIN HERSH, Primary Examiner.

r M. S. SALES, Assistant Examiner.

1. IN A GOLF CART, A SEAT, A PAIR OF FRAME MEMBERS SUPPORTING SAID SEAT,ONE OF SAID FRAME MEMBERS BEING SECURED IN FIXED RELATION TO SAID SEAT,THE OTHER BEING PIVOTED THERETO FOR SWINGING MOVEMENT TOWARDS SAID FIRSTFRAME MEMBER, MEANS ON SAID FRAME MEANS FOR SUPPORTING GOLF CLUBS, ANAXLE SECURED TO THE FORWARD EDGE OF SAID FRAME MEMBERS HAVING A PAIR OFWHEELS THEREON, AND MEANS FOR RELEASING SAID AXLE MEANS FOR PERMITTINGTHE ONE FRAME MEMBER ATO MOVE TOWARD THE OTHER FRAME MEMBER.